DIY: Sequin Heart Elbow Patch

I recently looked into my closet and realized that I have more black and white striped tops than I remembered ever buying. I guess it's fine, since it really has become my uniform (here). But, so I don't have a constant "Doug" moment, I wanted to figure out a way to update them in a cute way. Thankfully, Pinterest provided great sources of inspiration. Here's how to add a sequin heart elbow patch to any top or sweater.

Materials: - striped top (here) - 3 1/2 yds sequin trim (here) - liquid stitch (here) - scissors - copy paper - pencil

Steps: 1. Fold the copy paper in half. Draw half of a heart about 3 1/4" tall. 2. Cut out the heart. 3. Place the paper heart on top of the sleeve, where your elbow would land. This should be at the center of the sleeve, about 9 1/2" from the armhole seam. Add a thin line of liquid stitch around the paper heart. Then, remove the heart. 4. Place the sequin trim on top of the liquid stitch. 5. Continue adding a thin line liquid stitch and placing the sequin trim on top until the whole heart is filled with sequins. Repeat for the other sleeve.

Halloween DIY

Having just moved into a house after years of living in an apartment, I'm looking forward to passing out candy to the kiddies in our neighborhood this Halloween. I'll be wearing this little DIY all night. Please check out the full tutorial after the break, along with suggestions on what to wear to complete the look.

Materials: - tulle - fabric covered headband - e-6000 adhesive - stem wire - thread - sewing needle - 1 1/2 yards of decorative trim (1/4" or 3/8" wide) - scissors - computer paper - black spray paint

Steps: 1.  Spray paint 2 stem wires black.  Once fully dry, twist the ends together 2 times about 1 1/4" from the tips.  Curve them like the photo to look like rabbit ears, trying your best to make the shapes similar. 2. Trace around the curved wire. 3. Add a dotted line around the tracing about 3/8" away. Cut out using the dotted line. 4. The cut out is now your pattern.  Using the pattern, cut two pieces of tulle.  Pin or tape onto the tulle if needed before cutting if needed. 5.  Hand sew the cut tulle onto the wire rabbit ears.  Remember to double knot at the end and beginning. 6.  Repeat step 5 for both ears. 7. Wrap the extra ends of the wire ears onto the headband, towards the top of the headband, about 2 1/2" apart. 8. Add a dab of e-6000 after wrapping the wire around the headband. 9. For the veil, use a piece of computer paper (8 1/2" x 11") as the pattern.  Cut one piece of tulle 8 1/2" x 11". About 1/2" from the edge, use your needle and thread to rouche the tulle. 10. Continue roughing the tulle, until it is about 3" long.  Remember to double knot at the beginning and end of sewing. 11. Using e-6000, glue the decorative trim on the tulle ears to cover the wire. 12. Sew the tulle veil onto top of the headband, in between the ears. 13.  Glue a piece decorative trim at the top of the veil to give it a finished look.  Also, if the ears feel a bit wobbly, you can add a little bit of e-6000 on the inside of headband where the wire is wrapped.  Then, add a small piece of masking tape to hold it in place.  Hold with your thumb for a minute, to lock in the glue, then let fully dry for a couple hours.

To complete the look: Try wearing a black bodysuit (here or here) or a cute fit and flare dress (here).  Then, add a black pom pom as a tail.  Follow the tutorial (here) to create a pom pom!  Enjoy!  And have a fun Halloween!!

DIY Halloween Sun Jar

Halloween is just around the corner and I am very excited to share this DIY. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone of fashion, and get crafty and creative. Thank you to Martha Stewart Crafts for providing a plethora of amazing supplies to get my creative juices flowing. After gathering a few inspiration ideas together, I am really happy I decided on this Halloween themed sun jar.

Materials: - Glass Jar (here) - Solar Panel Lamp (here) - Can of Frosting Spray - e6000 adhesive - Martha Stewart Crafts: Holiday II Adhesive Stencils, Metallic Opaque Glass Paint in Black Nickel, Bristle Brushes, Stencil Tape

Steps: 1. Apply the adhesive stencil onto the outside of the glass.  Use several different stencils to create a dynamic look. 2. Using a brush, paint on top of the stencil.  Be sure not to paint beyond the outer edge of the stencil and if using the same stencil multiple times, be sure wipe off any excess paint on the stencil before placing it onto a new position.  Do not add too much paint.  Add a light coat, then add a 2nd if necessary. 3. Carefully peel off the adhesive stentils (while the paint is still dry). 4. Cover the outside of the jar using paper tape. 5. Spray the inside of glass jar with frosting spray evenly (one continuous spray to prevent uneven look). 6. Remove the top of the solar panel lamp.  Add a bit of e6000 to each side of the solar panel base, but to not add any glue to the actual solar panel. 7. Place of the inside lid of the jar.  Let dry for at least 1 hour. 8. To give it a orange glow,  I cut a square large enough to cover the light bulb area of the solar panel lamp from a plastic Reese's candy bag and taped it in place.

DIY Supply Guide: LA

On my personal blog SwellMayde, one of the most asked questions is about where to buy supplies.  Having lived in LA most of my life, and gone to school in the heart of the LA fashion district, I compiled a list of my go-to spots for supplies.  Hope you all find it pretty handy! :)

I separated the list by areas in Los Angeles, since the stores are a bit spread apart. Note: I have only gone to their actual store locations, and have not personally purchased from their websites.  Please stay tuned for a list of online sites that I buy materials from. :)

LA Fashion District:

Fabrics: 1. Michael Levine (here) 920 Maple Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 213-622-6259 Mon - Sat 9:00am - 5:30pm Sun 11:00am - 4:00pm You can find every type of fabric here at great prices.  Beautiful finds go fast. Snatch your favorite fabrics when you first eye them, because chances are they might not be there the next time go. They also carry sewing supplies and a wonderful array of trim.

2. Michael Levine Home (here) 919 Maple Ave. Los Angeles, CA. 90015 Phone: 213-689-1363 Mon - Sat: 9 am - 5:30pm Sun: 11am - 4 pm This is a great place for upholstery and outdoor fabrics, with good prices as well.  I often stop here for my vinyl and pleather.

Trim/ Jewelry Supplies: 1. Button & Trim Expo 828 Maple Ave Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 622-2323 Mon - Thu, Sun: 9 am - 6 pm Fri: 9 am - 4 pm I love stopping by here for trim inspiration or when I'm on the hunt for something very specific.  Fringe, lace, sequin, and beaded trim galore!

2. X Trims & Leathers (here) 811 S Maple Ave Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 622-8585 Mon - Sat:  9 am - 5 pm Sun: 10 am - 5 pm Awesome place for hardware, especially for accessories, such as leather bags.

3.  Athenian Fashions (here) 820 S Maple St #5 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 623-1289 They have an awesome selection of jewelry supplies from beads to chains to studs.  A little pricier than other spots, but the quality is great.

4. Bead Factory (here) 810 S. Maple Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 624-2121 Mon - Fri 9am-4pm Sat 8am-1pm Sun closed This place can get pretty crowded, and once you check out their awesome selection of beads and chains and unbeatable prices, you will see why.

5. Beads & More (here) 800 Maple Ave Ste A Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 955-9000 An amazing selection of beads and jewerly materials. Slightly on the pricier side, but I have on more than one occasion found very unique beads and studs that I could not find anywhere else.

West Hollywood / Beverly Hills: 1. International Silks & Woolens (here) 8347 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 Phone: (323) 653-6453 Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm Sun - 11am - 5pm Beautiful array of fabrics, especially silks and wool, a little on the pricier side.  I love sifting through their vintage fabric section.

2. Mood Fabrics (here) 6151 W Pico Ave Los Angeles, CA 90035 Phone: (323) 653-6663 Mon- Fri 9:30am - 6:30pm Sat 10am - 5pm Sun closed They have an amazing selection of fabrics.  This was my go to spot for beautiful knit jerseys and cotton shirtings.  They even receive remnant fabric from great designers like Marc Jacobs and Helmut Lang. They also have a great variety of leather.

3. Pearl Art (here) 1250 La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035 Phone: (310) 854-4900 Mon-Sat 9:30am - 8:30pm Sun 11am - 6pm After Mood, I would come here for all my art school needs, from paint to drawing psncils, and they offered a student discount.

Culver City: 1. Graphaids (here) 3030 La Cienega Blvd Culver City, CA 90232 Phone: (310) 204-1212 Mon-Fri 8am - 5:30pm Sat 10am - 4pm Each time other art supply stores in LA would be sold out of a certain something I was looking for, this store seemed to always have it in stock.

Westwood: 1. F&S Fabrics (here) 10629 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90064 Phone: (310) 475-1637 Mon-Sat 9:30am - 6pm Sun 12pm - 5pm Wide array of amazing fabric selection, but slightly on the pricier side.  Also, they have beautiful trim such as laces, ribbons, and an eclectic mix of buttons.

2. Bead Source 10606 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 Phone: (310) 841-2636 When I can't make it all the way downtown, this is my go to spot for all things jewelry from beads to tools.

North Hollywood: 1. Tandy Leather Factory (here) 6436 Bellingham Ave San Fernando Valley, CA 91606 Phone: (818) 763-1264 Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 4pm Sunday: Closed A bit of a drive away from LA, but I love this place. They carry everything leather related from tools to dyes and the staff is very knowledgeable.  They also offer classes to learn more about leather and leather crafting.

DIY: Chain Link Bracelet

I have been really inspired by chain bracelets lately.  Here is the first of 2 chain bracelet DIY's. When I saw this beautiful Marc Jacobs bracelet (here), I instantly knew what my next DIY would be. I love the gold chain against the elastic band. It feels chic, yet casual. Here's how to make your very own. Pretty easy peasy! Full tutorial after the break...

Materials: - elastic rope (here) - chain (similar here) - clamp (bought from Athenian Fashions) - pliers - sewing thread - e6000 adhesive

Steps: 1. Cut the 2 length of elastic rope (about 5 1/4" to 6" depending on your wrist size). Then, cut 1 piece of chain about 2" long. 2. Fold one cut elastic rope and fold in half. Loop through one end of the chain. 3. Take the two ends of the elastic and put through the loop. 4. Pull the two ends of the elastic tightly. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the other elastic rope. 5. Hold all 4 ends of the elastic rope, add a dab of e6000, then wrap tightly with sewing thread. This will keep all the ends in place. 6. Add a small dab of e6000 onto the inside of clamp. 7. Place the clamp onto the wrapped ends. Tightly squeeze each side of the clamp using the pliers to secure the ends of the elastic rope.

DIY: Distressed Denim

I have been a denim lover practically my whole life. As a child, I lived in my Jordache and Guess jeans, and as I've grown older I've come to appreciate denim in a whole new light. It really has become my favorite canvas and I love that with different treatments and techniques, it can become something very new and fresh.

Materials: - denim jeans - sandpaper - utility knife - tweezers - cardboard

Steps: 1. Rub sandpaper several times over the area you would like to add distressing to. 2. Cut straight horizontal slits into the denim about 1/2" apart to the front side of the denim in areas where you rubbed sandpaper on. (Tip: Add a piece of cardboard inside the pant leg of where you are cutting to prevent cutting through to the backside of the jean). Once you have a layout that you like, throw the denim into the washing machine using cold water. Then, fully dry in the dryer. 3. Once it is out of the dryer, you can make the distressing look a little more natural. Using the tweezers, in areas where you cut slits, pull the indigo fibers, leaving the white horizontal fibers.

DIY: Triangle Bead Bracelet

I recently fell in love with this amazing triangle bead bracelet from Free People. Here's how to make your very own:

Materials:

- large bugle beads (here)

- triangle beads (here)

- smaller beads

- string

- thin rope

Steps:

1. Cut 2 pieces of the thin rope about 15 inches long. String both pieces through a triangle bead, leaving about 5.5 inches. Knot at both ends of the triangle bead. Loop one piece of rope through the left hole of the bugle bead, then loop the other piece of the string through the right hole of the opening. Pull all the way through.

2. Repeat for 4 bugle beads. String each rope through a triangle bead.

3. Loop through 6 bugle beads (like step 1). Then, string each rope through a triangle bead.

4. Loop through 4 bugle beads (like step 1). Knot, string both ropes through a triangle bead, then knot again.

5. Place on your wrist to check sizing of the bracelet. Then, add 2 knots, like photo, to create adjustability.  After leaving about 1 inch excess of rope, I added a single bead to each end as a design detail (this is optional). Cut off extra rope length.

DIY Patterned Notebook

I have been pretty obsessed with stationery and notebooks lately, which led me to create this DIY for Unique SF and the Summer Show in Santa Monica.  I wanted to share the easy to follow steps for everyone, especially if you couldn't make it out to one of the events.  Have fun playing with color and patterns!

Materials: - 8 1/2" x 11" Patterned Paper (here) - Colored/Patterned Tape (here and here) - Baker's Twine (here) - Hole Puncher 1/8" or 3/16" (here) - Glue Stick (or Spray Adhesive) - Scissors - 8 1/2" x 11 Copy Paper and Cardstock - Rubber Stamp (optional) (similar here)

Steps: 1. Apply gluestick all over the cardstock.  You can also use spray adhesive (be sure to wear a dust mask over your mouth and nose and be a in well ventilated area). 2. Place your patterned paper on the glued cardstock (pattern side up). 3. I used about 8 pieces of copy paper per notebook.  Fold the copy paper and the patterned cardstock in half. For a clean, sharp crease, fold a couple pieces of paper at a time. 4. Add tape to the center of the folded patterned cardstock, as a fun detail.  Cut off excess. 5. Hole punch the folded copy paper and patterned cardstock on the crease, at the top and bottom edge.  Be sure to punch the holes at the same distance each time.  The holes must align. 6. Cut a piece of baker's twine to about 16".  From the inside of the notebook, string one end of the twine through bottom holes.  Then, string the other end of the twine through the top holes. 7. Tie a knot and bow on the outside of the notebook. 8. (Optional) Apply a stamp for a finishing touch!  And you're done! :)

Dip Dye Ombre Ballet Flats

Ombre has definitely become one of my favorite trends of the season and when I discover a new iteration of it, I get really excited and have to emulate it. For this DIY, I was inspired by these beautiful dip dyed ballet flats from Anthropologie. Here's how to create your own...

Materials:

- ballet flats (mine are poly satin and faux suede from H&M, but works best with natural fabrics like suede and cotton)

- RIT liquid dye ( purple, fuschia, and teal)

- sponge brush

- measuring spoons

- gloves

Steps:

1. Create your dye baths. First, boil water. You will need about 4 liters.  For the fuschia dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container. Then, add about 3 tablespoons of fuschia RIT dye. For the purple dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container.  Then, add about 2 tablespoons of fuschia RIT dye and 3 tablespoons  purple RIT dye.  After, for the teal dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container.  Then, add about 3 tablespoons of teal.

2.  If your ballet flat has a bow, you can tape it to the inside to prevent it from dying. Then for the fuschia/pink ballet flat version, quickly dip the front end of the flat into the fuschia dye bath. Then dip only about 1" into the dye bath for a couple minutes, so the tip of the flat is richer in color. Let this dry. For the purple/teal ballet flat version, quickly dip the front end of the flat into the purple dye. Then dip only about 1" into the dye bath for a couple minutes, so the tip of the flat is richer in color.

3.  To finish up the purple/teal version, paint on the teal dye with the sponge brush.  Leave a gap of about 1 1/2" unpainted.

4. Afterwards, run the sponge brush under water until fully clean. Then, paint on water at the edge to smoothen the ombre. Let fully dry.

DIY: Geode Ring

I stumbled upon this lovely inspiration photo of geode rings on Pinterest. You can make you very own with a few simple steps.  Make one... or ten!! :)  Have fun!!

Materials:

- Use Geode or Pyrite, easily found on eBay, Amazon or at flea markets and gem stores (*Make sure they have a flat bottom)

- Ring Blank (you can buy here)

- e6000 Glue (buy here)

Steps:

1. Add a small amount of e6000 glue to the flat area of the ring blank.

2. Place the geode or pyrite onto the glue.  Press in place, and let fully dry.

DIY: Wrapped Bracelet

I am a really simple girl when it comes to my style.  My classic "Aimee" uniform consists of a white t-shirt or button-up and cut-offs.  I can basically wear that combination everyday, but what makes it feel different from day to day are the accessories.  My goal is to DIY more of them myself... so when I'm looking down at my arm party, it feels a little more personal.  Here's a fun wrapped pom pom bracelet I recently made.

Materials:

- Rope

- Strand of Beads

- E6000 Glue

- 3 Colors of Embroidery Floss

- Pom Pom Trim

- Super Glue

Steps:

1. Cut the rope to 10" long. Fold one end over 2" and using e6000, glue together leaving a loop large enough for the pom pom to go through. At the other end of the rope, glue and wrap the flat end of the pom pom trim around the rope about 1/2" below the rope tip.

2. Add a thin layer of e6000 to middle area of the rope, about 1" long. Wrap the strand of beads around the glue section. You can double knot at the beginning and end using the thin string that the beads are stranded on. Let fully dry.

3. Take your first color of embroidery floss, double knot onto the rope, leaving a 3-5 inch tail. Add a bit of super glue to the double knot to prevent it from unraveling. Begin wrapping around the rope and the embroidery floss tail until you achieve the desired length. Then, double knot with the tail end and add a bit of super glue to the double knot. Cut extra ends. Mirror this section to the other side of the beads. Repeat with the second embroidery floss color.

4. Repeat step 3 with the 3rd embroidery floss color, except when getting closer to the glued loop end, add a bit of e6000 glue to the end in order to secure the wrap. Note that the loop must fit the pom pom. Double knot with the embroidery floss tail and add a bit of super glue to the knot. Cut off extra ends.

5. Like step 4, repeat the embroidery floss wrapping except add a thin layer of e6000 around the pom pom trim area before wrapping. Then, double knot with the tail end of the embroidery floss, double knot. Add a bit of super glue to the double knot, and cut off extra ends.

DIY: Floral Print Denim Short

I'm really loving what is happening in fashion these days. Prints, florals and color are popping up in every direction. I never saw myself as a print girl in the past, but I have been taking more fashion risks lately in an attempt to find new outfit combinations that work for me. This DIY was inspired by my new found obsession with wearing mixed florals and have found that wearing color and unexpected prints really brightens up my mood! How can I have a bad day when ther is party going on in my wardrobe!? In this post, I will show you how you can update a pair of shorts with a stamped floral print so you can chime in on this trend.

Materials:

- Denim Short (similar here and here)

- Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in Marine Blue and Cool Blue (here)

- 2 Paintbrushes

- Paint Palette

- Floral Rubber Stamps (similar here)

Tutorial:

- I used a variety of stamps that I had on hand. I recommend using a couple different sizes. Pour out each color of paint onto the palette. Paint a light coat of Marine Blue onto the stem and leaf areas of the stamp and Cool Blue for the flower areas. Be sure to use a light coat and maybe test it out onto a scrap fabric to make sure you like the look. Then, continue all around the short. As you are stamping away, I recommend cleaning the stamp (running it through water and wiping off any excess paint) after stamping a couple times, the fabric paint tends to dry pretty quickly. Let dry fully dry. Have fun!!

DIY: Braided Bracelet

Learn how to make this awesome braided bracelet! Find detailed written instructions below the photos.

Materials:

- Embroidery Floss (3 different colors)

- Scissors

- Beads

Steps:

1. Cut 6 pieces of embroidery floss at 16" long.

2. String your choice of beads through the embroidery floss. Place in the middle.

3. Wrap the second color of embroidery floss around, about 3/8" long (knot at the beginning and end of the wrapped section).

4. Wrap the third color around, about 1/4" long (knot at the beginning and end of the wrapped section).

5. Braid the leftover embroidery floss, about 3 1/4" long.

6. Cut 6 pieces of embroidery floss (main color), about 3" long. Lay under the braided end, like photo.

7. Knot cut pieces onto the braid.

8. Trim ends to an even desired length.

9. Wrap second and third color embroidery floss around the ends (knot at the beginning and end of the wrapped section). And voila... a swell done braided bracelet!

DIY: Tie Dye Denim

This DIY kick starts my tie dye week (another version to come) and just might be my most favorite DIY yet!!  As I was perusing the latest Elle magazine, I saw an ad for Paige denim.  It was for a beautiful pair of tri-colored tie dye jeans (Paige Toulouse Verdugo Skinny).  I have been on a color obsession lately and had to have my hands on these. The price was a little out of reach for me, so I thought I would take a stab at it myself. The steps were pretty simple.

Materials:

- white skinny denim (I bought an inexpensive pair from Target here )

- RIT dye (denim blue, wine bordo, and petal pink)

- sponge brush

Steps:

1. Follow the steps on the RIT dye package to create your dye baths.

2. Using your sponge brush, paint strokes on the front side of the jean.  Start with the lightest color. I used petal pink. Note: I added a bit of tan to get a more coral color.

3. Paint strokes with the next darkest color on the front side of the jean.  I used wine bordo. Note: I added a bit of denim blue to make it a bit more magenta.

4. Paint strokes with the darkest color on the front side as well. I used denim blue. Note: I added a bit of wine bordo for a purple tint.

5. Once, the front side is fully painted, let dry and follow steps 2 through 4 for the back side.  Do not forget about the side seams, paint strokes to connect the front and back sides.  Let dry!  Try on and dance!!  You now have fun pair of tie dye denim!!  Swell done!!

Here's Looking at You... Tiger

This project’s mirror/faux magazine cover theme attempts a somewhat raunchy (although you can switch it up) approach to playing up your partner’s ego…and we all know there’s a little narcissist in all of us. This one’s pretty easy, once you get the materials—so here goes.

Craft O’ Meter (Level of Difficulty): Easy

Materials:

Alphabet Stickers (1” – 2”)

A Small Mirror (try thrift shops; I found mine at a discount store for $2!); approximately the size of a magazine cover

Small Plastic Animals/Toys (think cake topper size); type of toy depends on the phrase you decide to go with (see Step 1 for ideas)

Pin (optional)

Hardware:

Epoxy/Hobby Glue (the stronger, the better)

Masking Tape

Small Pliers (optional)

  Steps:

1. Think of a compliment/phrase; I went with “Hey tiger.” and “Best Lover Ever”

Additional Ideas (in this order-- top text; bottom text; toy to use)

• “Sexy Beast”; “You drive me wild”; any wild animal
• Cutesy Alternative: “Such a dear”;” Sweetest Girlfriend Ever”; deer

1. Use masking tape to make straight lines on the top and bottom of your mirror (to use as a guide for your stickers).
2. Stick the phrase of your choice to their corresponding areas (I recommend choosing a bigger font for the top text and a smaller font for the bottom).
3. Once the words are in place, it’s time to glue the animals. If you choose to go with the “mating” position and think you’d like a little more stability (aside from glue), use a pin (cut off its head so that you have two pointy sides) and pliers to stick the two together. You can also go simpler by just gluing the toys on top of the frame.
4. Let dry overnight.
5. Clean the mirror to remove any fingerprints/dirt.
6. All done. Start gifting!

Playing with Blocks

In a society infatuated with technology, I opted to create a calendar project to remind us of simpler times. Most of us have a memory of playing with blocks (whether wooden or Legos); so I thought, why not make something that was both playful and functional? The result: a four year “semi-perpetual” calendar with a crafty spirit for your home, office or wherever. Materials: 10 Square Blocks 1” 1 Axle Cap for ¼” (You can also use a bead or even tie ribbon or string… as long as it holds) Wooden Dowel ¼” (At least 6” long) Acrylic Paint (Your color preference; I used black) Acrylic Medium Golden Soft Gel Matte (You can also use clear nail polish or other medium finishes) Glue Stick

Hardware: Drill & any Drill Bit larger than ¼” Vice (Optional – Used to hold wooden blocks while drilling) Paint Brush Scissors Hand Saw (Something to cut the dowel) Printer Computer Sandpaper

Steps: 1: Carefully (I used a vice) drill a hole in the center of each wooden block. Don’t worry about being perfect—that’s why I chose to use a significantly larger drill bit. 2: Cut the dowel (if it’s longer than 6”) using a handsaw. (Six inches fits six blocks --- you may want to give it room depending on how you are close the top.) 3. Using acrylic paint, customize each set of blocks as desired. Here’s the breakdown: four for months, four for days, and two for years; a total of 10. In this version, I painted a total of six blocks black (four for months, two for years) and the rest were left untreated.

4: Once the blocks are dried, use the sandpaper to create a weathered effect. (Again, this is optional). 5: Print out the numbers on a 8.5”x11” sheet of paper. The print file has two sets of numbers just in case you mess one up. The numbers are broken into three sets: TOP (Months) – first four rows, MIDDLE (Days) – next four rows, and BOTTOM (Years) – last two rows. The space invaders were used to fill in the blank sides. If you decide to choose your own font and designs, I recommend making sure the fonts/images are no bigger than 0. 65”x0.65”.

6: Here’s the tedious part: cut out all the numbers and make sure you keep them in their corresponding groups of four. 7: Glue the numbers onto the blocks, making sure that the hole is on the top side. 8: Using the Matte Gel, apply a thick coat on top of each number, covering the entire side. Repeat for all numbers and blocks. Set aside to dry.

9: Once they’re dried, attach Axle Cap (or bead, or ribbon) to the top of the dowel and arrange blocks to the current date. 10: Variations: Try a horizontal layout instead of stacked, or a version without the dowel (just make sure to group the numbers in sets of six instead of four), or draw/paint the numbers…

Enjoy!